Salem MOM | Dec 2019 / Jan 2020

REAL | LOCAL | MOMS

Salem | December 2019/ January 2020 | FREE

COVER MOM

BOOK LOVER’S

FOOD FEATURE

MEGAN MARCHESI

GIFT GUIDE

COWBOY TREATS

Oh, What a Team!

Santiam Women’s Clinic, part of Santiam Hospital, offers care and support to help women manage their health at every stage of life. Whether you need a routine checkup or are pregnant and seeking a midwife or OB/GYN to deliver your baby, we can meet your needs.

Brooke Renard, MD, OB/GYN

Jennifer Brewer, MD, OB/GYN

Melissa Sheffield, ARNP, CNM

• Medical degree from University of Nebraska College of Medicine

• Medical degree from Oregon Health & Sciences University

• Nurse midwife degree from Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing in Kentucky.

• Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology

• Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology

• Member of the American College of Nurse Midwives, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists and the American Midwifery Certification Board

SANTIAM

WOMEN’S CLINIC

Part of Santiam Hospital

All of our providers are accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call us at 503-769-9522 1373 N 10th Ave., Stayton • santiamhospital.org

Santiam Hospital & Clinics accept all insurance including all Medicare plans, OHP, Kaiser Permanente & Blue Cross.

Sublimity Medical Clinic, part of Santiam Hospital offers full spectrum, comprehensive primary care including obstetrics. Our skilled physicians provide support throughout your pregnancy and post-delivery, care for your newborn, and continued care for the years beyond.

Emily Alvale, MD

Eva McCarthy, DO

• Medical degree from Oregon Health & Sciences University

• Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Des Moines University in Iowa

• FP-OB Fellowship, Natividad Medical Center, Salinas, California. Hospital-based obstetric training with highlight on high-risk OB and procedural training.

• Board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association

SUBLIMITY MEDICAL CLINIC Part of Santiam Hospital

All of our providers are accepting new patients.

To schedule an appointment, please call us at 503.769.2259 114 SE Church St., Sublimity • santiamhospital.org

It’s what‘s

Everyone has

at least one

lover on their

inside that counts

book-

list, so here’s

t

our

vers.

for book-lo

Gifts

Treats 26

20

Lights Out

29

Meet the MOM experts... 4

Book Lover’s ....................20

Reindeer Cupcakes........28

They know what they're

Unique gifts for the book-

Easy to assemble holiday

talking about

lovers on your list

cuteness

Because I said so............... 5

On the road.......................24

Power Outages................29

A message from MOM

Avoiding car sickness

How to survive and thrive when

Healthy MOM..................... 8

Cowboy Treats.................26

Don’t let the holidays get you

Holiday goodness,

down, from Santiam Hospital

cowboy style

the lights go out

Cover MOM: Megan Marchesi.............10 This mom gets real

More ways to love your MOM Blog: mommag.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ lovemommag

Cover MOM

10

Photos by Joni Loraine Photography

Advertise today Want to get the word out about your business?

Contact Kim Leighty at kim.leighty@mommag.com mommag.com 3

meet the

experts

[They know what they’re talking about] Say Cheese.

Say Cheese with Dr. Ana Castilla, page 7

Health.

Healthy MOM with Santiam Hospital, page 8

Smile.

Something to Smile About with Dr. Na Xu, page 18

“ You can tell a lot about a person by the way they

Drive.

On the road with Monika Duke, page 24

handle three things: a rainy

Christmas tree lights.

“

day, lost luggage and tangled

– Maya Angelou

4 mommag.com

EDITOR'S NOTE

Because I said so!

Published by GO Creative, LLC 263 29th Avenue SW Albany, OR 97322 Editor-in-Chief Managing Director Angela Hibbard angela@mommag.com Salem Advertising Representative Kim Leighty kim.leighty@mommag.com 503-510-9036 Mid-Valley & Lane County Business Development Manager Linda Blair linda@mommag.com 541-231-7250 Tri-Cities Business Development Manager Kim Harvey kim@mommag.com 509-460-6526 Designer Sean Carver

We love hearing from you. Email info@mommag.com with feedback, story ideas or nominations.

MOM MagazineTM is produced by GO Creative, LLC. © 2018 All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or part, without written permission of the publisher, is prohibited.

Information in the magazine is provided for general information purposes only with the understanding that none of the content constitutes professional advice.

Opinions expressed by the writers or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions of the magazine or the publisher. Inclusion in the magazine does not constitute endorsement of information, products or services.

Perfect parenting is poor preparation for the real world.

WHEN MY CHILDREN were very young and just the idea of getting out of the house felt like an Olympic event I hadn’t trained for, a neighbor—who must have observed my sleep-deprived, impatient mothering skills—passed on some advice that her mother had shared with her.

“Perfect parenting is poor preparation for the real world,” she said, giving me a reassuring smile. Those words have stuck with me and encourage me when I feel like I’m failing as a mom.

All of us can feel this way occasionally, especially at this time of year when there’s so much pressure to have the perfectlydecorated house, neatly-iced cookies, clever crafts, unique gifts and that darn Elf on the Shelf. Not to mention Christmas cards, brag letters and all of that shopping.

When I feel overwhelmed and not up to the epic responsibility of motherhood, I remember my neighbor’s wise words and feel particularly smug about just how prepared my kids will be for the real world thanks to my imperfect parenting skills! I also remind myself to:

Angela’s children, Catherine and Liam, enjoying an imperfect holiday moment

So if you ever feel like an imperfect parent, remember that your children were not given a perfect mom, just the perfect mom for them.

Why? Because I said so!

Take a deep breath Say “no” to holiday parties Dim the lights, so it’s easier to ignore the dirt in my house Log off of Pinterest and all social media Remember that my presence is the best gift I can give my children

Angela Hibbard MOM Magazine Editor-in-Chief

mommag.com 5

SHINE ON. Eli’s body was full of cancer.

Now he’s full of life.

At age 2, Eli faced a cancer almost never seen in kids that age.

Fortunately, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital was ready to meet the challenge.

Doernbecher specializes in creating new possibilities. Eli’s team turned the world’s latest research into an innovative treatment plan and helped Eli beat cancer. Today he’s a happy, healthy 5-year-old who loves baseball, family and building things.

Your generous support helps create these new possibilities and powers lifesaving care for families across the Northwest.

Please make a gift to Doernbecher today.

6 mommag.com

Give the gift of a smile As you consider your year-end charitable giving, think about giving the gift of a smile.

The gift of oral care. Several charitable organizations work to provide

resources on oral health as well as free or low-cost oral care to populations that need it, both here in the U.S. and around the world. Organizations to consider include America’s Tooth Fairy, Global Dental Relief, Remote Area Dental, Smiles Change Lives and Donated Orthodontic Services.

The gift of surgery. Depending on the severity, a cleft lip and/or palate can cause difficulty with feeding, speech, oral health, hearing loss, ear infections and social stigma. By giving to charities like Operation Smile and Smile Train that provide safe surgeries to correct this problem, you can literally give a child the gift of a smile.

Local gifts. If you want to give closer to home, talk to us about partnering with local organizations that provide dental and orthodontic services to those in need.

Castilla Orthodontics

503-399-0721 justsmile@castillaortho.com 434 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem

Ana Castilla, DDS, MS is a board-certified, Oregon-based orthodontist. She is passionate about helping patients attain their perfect smile, so they can live their lives to the fullest!

Memberships Gift Certificates

Give the gift of experience this year.

Visit acgilbert.org mommag.com 7

t ’ n o D e h t t le

HOLIDAYS Choosing priorities and sticking to them will help you manage your family’s busiest time of year.

8 mommag.com

GET YO

W

E OFTEN GET SENTIMENTAL for the holidays of yesteryear, with their popcorn-string garland and neighborhood caroling. But, are we really waxing nostalgic for the Rockwell-esque tableaus, or wishing our winter months were simpler and at a more reasonable pace? If we take some time to focus on what really makes the holiday season important to our family, we can let the other stuff go.

Focus on family. If spending time with your family is your favorite part of the holiday season, then make that a priority— and stick to it. If some relationships (even with family members) are unhealthy or stressful, however, set boundaries for yourself and choose only to be with people you enjoy spending time with.

Just say no. It’s okay to say no to parties, fundraisers and other events that you only attend out of obligation, not because you really want to. Overextending yourself is a sure way to quickly extinguish the holiday spirit.

Take care of yourself. Self care comes in many forms and, as long as it’s fundamentally healthy, you should do things that make you feel good. There’s no need to overindulge—small gestures, like a warm bath or a daily walk, can give you the mental boost you need to recharge.

Take a moment to be in the moment.

Push pause on presents. We live in a time of muchness, and no other season illustrates that as much as the holidays. Consider telling anyone that might give you a present that they’re off the hook this year, choose to make homemade presents as a family, or limit the gift-giving to one each.

Eat well. Despite the ever-presence of goodies this time of year, try to stick to good eating habits—mostly plants, some lean protein and grains.

Get some rest. The hustle and bustle of the holidays is in direct conflict with our natural inclination to slow down this time of year. In the winter, nature slows down and so should you.

We might not be able to return to the black-and-white holiday visions that we hold dear but, by setting our expectations and knowing our limits, it can still be A Wonderful Life.

OU DOWN

Brought to you by:

www.santiamhospital.org

mommag.com 9

Cover MOM

Q Photo credit: Joni Loraine Photography They say that change is the only constant. That seems to be especially true for Cover MOM, Megan Marchesi, who’s had a year of firsts with a new marriage, new job, new house and a sweet new little baby. How’s she managing all of the change? Lots of patience and nice, long baths.

10 mommag.com

Megan Marchesi ! l a e s r

Q& A Who is MOM?

COMMUNITY/HOMETOWN:

Salem, OR.

FAMILY: Husband, Johnathon, specialist

at Salem-Keizer School District and daughter, Stella, age 6 months.

Get

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

My husband, Johnathon and I have been together for five years and married for one!

We just welcomed our sweet Stella Jean in June, 2019 and we have a kitty named Leo.

future career, relationship or whatever it may be, that she is truly happy. I want her to know that her dad and I are her biggest supporters and will continue to love her and support her decisions in life no matter what.

No one works harder than mom.

Every family has their own traditions, rituals or inside jokes. What’s one of your family’s holiday traditions?

We know that being a mom is a full-time job. Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home.

Our first date was going to Oktoberfest in Mount Angel so we attend every year to celebrate being together. Other than that, we don’t have any family traditions, but now that we have a baby we are so excited to start some with her.

I am currently in my second year of teaching kindergarten at St. Joseph Catholic School. I grew up volunteering at the World Beat Festival and other events they put on. It has been such a wonderful experience getting to learn about different cultures while helping educate others over the years.

Tell us about one of your proudest mom moments?

My proudest mom moment so far was going through pregnancy and labor. It’s amazing what our bodies can do. I still look at her and think, “Wow, my body made you!” This has already been such an amazing journey and I have gained so much more respect for women.

What is something you swore you would never do before having a baby that you now do?

Stay in our pjs all day. This has happened a few times! Before having Stella I thought we would get out of the house and go do things like walk to our neighborhood park, visit friends and family, etc. But, let me tell you, those first few months consisted of staying in our pjs and not leaving the house.

PROFESSION: Kindergarten teacher at St.

Your biggest wish for your daughter is…

Joseph Catholic School.

My biggest wish for my daughter is that she finds happiness. Whether that be in her

What have you learned professionally, that has helped you as a mom?

PATIENCE. Being a teacher and a mom, you need a lot of patience!

How do you balance (or not) motherhood, activities, work, volunteering, household responsibilities, and life in general?

Typically, what falls through the cracks?

I honestly have no idea how I would balance anything if I didn’t have such an amazing support system. My husband has been the best partner when it comes to taking care of our baby. I’m pretty sure he’s changed more diapers than I have. And my dad, who lives with us, helps out a ton. Going back to work was a huge adjustment and, without them, I don’t think I would have been able to do it.

Household chores have definitely fallen through the cracks. I’m currently staring at a week-old pile of clean laundry on our floor and a sink full of dishes.

mommag.com 11

Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years?

I plan on going back to school to get my master’s in educational leadership/ administration.

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

What do you think is the most important life skill or value your parents taught you?

Be kind to everyone.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

I would say this last year was a year of “firsts” for me. I got married, started my

teaching career, was pregnant, bought my first house, had a baby and became a mom.

To say it was an eventful year is an understatement.

What good habit do you wish you started earlier? Any resolutions for 2020?

Eating healthier. Neither my husband nor I enjoy cooking, so eating out was our norm.

But since becoming pregnant and now nursing, eating healthier has become so important to me. It was a rough transition from that college lifestyle to cooking at home and watching what I eat, but it has been so worth it. My resolution for 2020 is so cliché, but I want to work out more and eat healthier.

What are you hoping to find under the tree this year?

Can a new car fit under the tree? All jokes aside, there’s nothing I really “want.” I have been blessed with so much this year already and I just look forward to this first Christmas with my baby and husband in our new house.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, in which event would you win a gold medal?

Online shopping! This has been a dangerous pastime for me since finding out I was pregnant.

“”

"Going back to work was a huge adjustment and, without them (husband and dad), I don’t think I would have been able to do it.

Household chores have definitely fallen through the cracks. I’m currently staring at a week-old pile of clean laundry on our floor and a sink full of dishes."

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MOM’s Favorite… …holiday song: All I want for Christmas, by Mariah Carey

…words to live by: Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

…place to hide and find some peace & quiet: The bathtub!

…way to get out of making dinner: Suggest pizza...my husband’s favorite

…inspirational quote: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” ~ Dr. Seuss

Quick

questions

for MOM

?

Tea or Coffee?

Gold or Silver?

Bath or Shower?

Sweet or Savory?

Morning or Night?

Dog or Cat?

Math or English?

Ice cream or Chocolate?

Summer or Winter?

Beer or Wine?

Hot or Cold?

Coffee

Morning Summer

Silver Cat

Beer

Bath

Math

Savory

Chocolate

Cold

mommag.com 13

Q& A

What is the best way that you let off steam?

Taking a bath! This is my go-to for almost anything. From feeling sick to relieving some stress you will find me in the bathtub. When my husband can tell that I'm overwhelmed or not feeling good he tells me to go take a bath because he knows it helps.

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?

Travel to a different country and experience their culture! I have been very lucky to have traveled to several different countries and they are experiences I will never forget. From the food to the history there is so much to learn. I know travel can be very expensive but, if you’re able to, it's definitely something you should do.

Listen to mom.

Is motherhood what you expected?

What surprised you the most?

Yes and no. I knew that we were going to have a lot of sleepless nights and that it was going to be hard, but what has surprised me the most is the amount of love that consumes your whole being the second you lay your eyes on that baby. You always hear that the love you have for your child is indescribable but, until you experience it for yourself, you don’t fully understand.

Who and what has influenced the mother you are today?

My sister, Jenni, is my biggest influence as a mother. She is 16 years older than me, so I grew up watching her raise my three nephews. She is always real with me and I know I can call her at any time 14 mommag.com

Since I was becoming a first-time mom, I received advice from everyone I came in contact with, but the one thing that stuck with me was, “Do what works for you and your baby.” This is the advice I would give to any new mom out there.

mommag.com 15

of the day to ask for advice, vent or just talk.

Our mom passed away two years ago from cancer and it’s been such a blessing to have my sister to lean on during this new chapter in my life.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from another mom?

Since I was becoming a first-time mom, I received advice from everyone I came in contact with, but the one thing that stuck with me was, “Do what works for you and your baby.” This is the advice I would give to any new mom out there. Everyone is going to have an opinion on how to raise your child, but you have to do what works for you even if it’s not what you’re “supposed” to do.

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What advice would you give your younger mom self—what do you wish you knew then that you know now?

Even though I am a new mom, there are things I have already learned in these short few months that I wish I could go back and tell myself. First, you don’t need all the fancy baby stuff. Start with the basics and buy what you need after the baby comes because chances are your baby won’t like it (learned this lesson the hard way). Second, it’s okay to ask for help. The first few months I didn’t ask anyone aside from my husband for help because, in my mind, I saw it as a sign of weakness or that I wasn’t capable of taking care of my baby. But let me tell you, that is the farthest thing from the

truth. Ask for help! No one is going to think any less of you.

What message would you like to share with other moms?

No matter what your choices are, when it comes to raising your child, sometimes it’s important to just sit back and remember that we’re all doing our best. Motherhood is by far the hardest job you will ever have, and you have to remember that you are doing an amazing job even if you feel like you are failing. It’s okay to have days when you don’t get out of your pjs and sit around the house while the laundry and dishes pile up because, at the end of the day, as long as you and your family are happy that is all that matters.

[ Momism #201:

Santa is watching.

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

]

FAMILY MEDICINE

URGENT CARE

503.399.2424 mommag.com 17

something to smile about

TM

Dental tips for happy holidays FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO KEEP SMILING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. Pass the turkey. Feel good about

Don’t use your teeth as a tool. “Some

seconds on turkey. It’s a great source of

assembly required” is usually code for

phosphorus and protein which can help

“pull out every tool you’ve got.” But

keep your teeth strong and healthy.

keep your teeth out of the toolbox.

Stock a toothbrush. Consider sneaking a toothbrush into your family’s stockings this year, but don’t be a Scrooge—slip in

Opening packages, breaking tape or cutting string with your teeth can cause chips and breaks.

Carol while you brush. Encourage your

some treats too.

Take care with red wine. Red wine can stain your teeth. If you want to indulge over the holidays, do so along with food to minimize how much wine gets on

family to brush longer (optimal brushing time is about two minutes) by humming their favorite Christmas Carol while they brush.

your teeth and be sure to brush afterward.

Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry

2601 25th St., Suite 400, in Salem 503-689-8936 www.myfamilydentistsalem.com

Na Xu, DDS, is a mother of two.

INTERESTED IN FOSTERING? We are an association dedicated to supporting foster families and promoting foster parenting for Marion Polk and Yamhill counties in Oregon.

Learn more at our website at www.myfpa.org

Our mission is: To provide a support system that enables foster/adopt parents to meet the social, physical, educational and emotional well-being of the youth in their care.

To promote participation in the professional development of our members by actively seeking private funding to facilitate educational workshops and conference opportunities.

To advance and promote collaborative partnerships that strengthen policies, programs, and services which improve the individual care and support provided to the children and families.

18 mommag.com

HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY

Family traditions, new and old, make every holiday special. They’re even better when everyone is healthy. But, eating a good diet and getting enough sleep isn’t always easy. Especially during the winter holidays.

So, let’s make a pledge. Let’s eat better (more fresh veggies and fruit, less junky carbs) and get plenty of rest. Doing both will help maintain strong

2 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS in

Salem & Silverton.

Now Accepting New Patients!

immune systems, which could be the difference between feeling great, or not so great. Because if you’re like us — it’s our favorite time of the year!

To learn more about our 5-Star* pediatric care, visit us online at

childhoodhealth.com

FOLLOW US!

(503) 364-2181

Salem: 891 23rd Street NE (& D Street)

Silverton: 450 Welch St. (Next to Hospital)

*Certified 5-Star by Oregon’s Patient-Centered Primary Care Program which recognizes clinics statewide for offering quality patient-centered primary care.

mommag.com 19

B

Everyone has

at least one

lover on the

Everyone has at least one book-lover on their list, so here’s our guide to the best non-book gifts for book-lovers.

book-

t

e’s our ir list, so her

vers.

for book-lo

A

C

20 mommag.com

A

Using this wooden page spreader frees up a hand to shoo away the kids. “Can’t you see? I’m reading!” etsy.com

B

Adults will love these literary-themed cocktails that are as fun to read about as they are to make (and drink). amazon.com

mommag.com 21

If there’s a librarian on your list, they’ll love checking out these ties and scarves. etsy.com

There’s literally a tote for everyone. outofprint.com

C

22 mommag.com

22 mommag.com

Start the morning with literary first lines. philosophersguild.com

Everyone appreciates a gift card to their favorite local bookstore.

Book-lovers can snuggle up during the holidays in these cozy pjs. basbleu.com

Gift card You can’t judge a book by its cover, but kids will love covering up with these reading-inspired tees. outofprint.com

mommag.com 23 mommag.com 23

on the road WHEN THE WORST HAPPENS.

If, despite your best efforts, your child gives you an early Christmas gift in the form of vomit in the back of your car 100 miles from grandma’s house, be armed with a plan.

Always keep a plastic bag or sand bucket next to your child and teach her how to use it, if needed.

Keep your trunk stocked with cleaning supplies, garbage bags, sanitizers, rags and a change of clothes.

AT ALL COSTS

For many families the holidays mean time on the road visiting family. Nothing spoils your holiday cheer like hearing your son or daughter proclaim from the back seat, “Mom, I feel sick!” So take these steps to avoid or minimize motion sickness.

1 Limit snacks and meals to small portions of light, non-spicy, nongreasy foods.

2 Make sure the car is well ventilated in the back where the kids are sitting.

3 If your child is extremely sensitive to motion avoid overly windy roads, if possible. The scenic bypass is not so scenic when you’re pulled over cleaning vomit off of a car seat.

4 Encourage your child to look into the distance by playing games like “I spy” that require looking out the window.

5 Avoid reading in the car by switching to audio books.

6 Try singing a song to encourage deep breathing which can relieve motion sickness.

24 mommag.com

7 If nausea persists, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and let your child walk around in the fresh air or lie on his back with his eyes closed.

8 Change seat assignments so the sick child is next to a window and has the best ventilation possible.

9 Consider using Sea-Bands or other brands of acupressure wrist bands. While research on their efficacy is still unclear, your child may find them comforting.

10 If your child persistently suffers from motion sickness, and is over 2 years old, talk to your pediatrician about over-the-counter medications.

When cleaning a car seat, remove the cover and straps so you can clean every nook and cranny, but be sure to take pictures or notes before disassembling it; they can be very tricky to reassemble.

Brought to you by:

MEET MONIKA DUKE Executive Assistant, Monika Duke, has been with Capitol Auto Group for 18 years. She is the mother of two daughters: Lauren, age 14 and Morgan, age 13—born on the same date exactly one year apart! Monika enjoys working at Capitol because of the great owners and her co-workers. She also loves the freedom Capitol provides to do her favorite activity outside of work: watching her girls play competitive soccer all over the West Coast.

capitolauto.com 1-844-361-9185 Come see us at Capitol Auto Group to get your car road trip ready.

[ Momism #150: Put

your coat on.

]

YOUR DREAM IS OUT THERE. MAKE IT A REALITY. Top-ranked degrees

ONLINE

Taniah Johnson B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences U.S. Air Force Okinawa, Japan

ecampus.oregonstate.edu

mommag.com 25

Christmas Treats Walla Walla author Shanna Hatfield’s latest book, A Cowboy Christmas, is filled with traditions, decor and recipes for a fantastic holiday—cowboy style! Cowboy or not, everyone will love making and eating these simple, sweet treats.

26 mommag.com

Chocolate Chex™ Trees

Cowboy

Sweets

Makes 6 trees

These yummy and adorable trees are so simple to make and a great project if you have kids at home who need something to do. Set them on a disposable plate, foil-wrapped piece of cardboard, or a large sugar cookie wrapped in cellophane for gift-giving!

INGREDIENTS: Makes 6 trees 3 cups Chocolate Chex™ cereal 6 pretzel sticks (the thick kind, made for dipping) ½ cup peanut butter ¼ cup Nutella 3 tablespoons butter, softened 1 cup powdered sugar DIRECTIONS:

Mix the peanut but­ter, Nutella, but­ter and pow­dered sugar in a bowl.

On whatever you plan to use for a base, mold the peanut butter mixture around the pretzel stick until it stands upright and forms a slight cone shape.

Hold it steady by using the tip of the pret­zel as a han­dle and begin insert­ing pieces of cereal into the peanut but­ter mix­ture in a sym­met­ri­cal pat­tern around the stick. You can tip the cereal pieces up or down, depending on your personal preference. Add more cereal pieces, stag­ger­ing them as you move upward, until you get near the top.

For the top of the tree, use broken pieces or cut them in half to get the smaller scale of branches near the top.

Use two pieces of cereal back to back to form the top.

Dust with powdered sugar.

27 mommag.com

Elf snack mix INGREDIENTS: Serves 8 10 cups popped popcorn 1 package white chocolate candy melt 1 bag red and green M&M’s 1 cup cocktail peanuts 2 cups pretzels ¼ cup Christmas sprinkles (optional) DIRECTIONS:

Mix popcorn with peanuts, pretzels and M&Ms. Set aside.

Melt white chocolate according to package directions and pour over popcorn mixture.

Stir well to coat. Top with Christmas sprinkles, if desired. Store in an airtight container to keep fresh.

The combination of sweet and salty in these completely addicting treats is perfect. It’s hard to stop after just one or two bites. Make extra so you have plenty for munching and giving away!

Recipes and photos courtesy of Shanna Hatfield. To purchase A Cowboy Christmas or one of Shanna’s many other books visit your favorite online bookstore. And you’ll be helping a cowboy in need. From now until Christmas Eve, Shanna is donating 10 percent of the proceeds of all book sales to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund which provides financial assistance to injured rodeo athletes. mommag.com 27

reindeer cupcakes We love these REINDEER-DECORATED CUPCAKES from local mom and Rad Baker, Destiny Garcia. Try this sweet craft with your family over the holidays.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED Cupcakes Pretzel twists

WHAT YOU NEED

Candy eyes Red Hot candies or red M&Ms Chocolate frosting Nilla wafer cookies TO ASSEMBLE THE CUPCAKES: 1 Attach the red noses to cookies using frosting as your glue.

2 Cover cupcakes with frosting.

3 Place one cookie and two eyes on top of each frosted cupcake.

4 Add pretzel antlers.

5 Sit back and admire the cuteness.

28 mommag.com

Look for reindeer cupcake kits from The Rad Baker at local holiday fairs. Follow facebook.com/ theradbaker for more sweet ideas.

mommag.com 28

a mom’s guide to:

power outages W

intry, stormy weather can lead to loss of power. For a child, power outages can be exciting. Forced time together without modern conveniences means family board games, cuddling by the fire and building lots of forts—it’s like camping inside your house. But for mom, a power outage means no refrigeration (if you’re storing precious breast milk that’s a big deal), no Netflix and, possibly, no heat. Here’s our guide to surviving and thriving during the next power outage.

mommag.com 29

how to survive a power outage

Prepare BEFORE a power outage: Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity. Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.

Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.

Sign up for local alerts and warning systems.

Monitor weather reports.

Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home.

Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.

Review your supplies. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member. Have enough nonperishable food and water.

Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so you know the temperature when the power is restored.

Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees

HOW TO THRIVE DURING A POWER OUTAGE

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or at least retain your sanity

or higher.

Treat yourself. Have water, drinks and pantry

Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment

Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.

snacks on hand so you can feed your crew without opening your fridge. Make it fun. This is not the time to stick rigidly to your “healthy snacks only” mantra. If you have reason to believe the power will be out for an extended amount of time, go ahead and break into that gallon of ice cream in the freezer—it’s probably going to melt anyway.

Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.

Let it glow. Deck everyone out with glow sticks,

Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.

then turn off all the flashlights for a glow party.

Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage

Blow it up. Always have balloons on hand. They’re

charged and gas tanks full.

Protect yourself DURING a power outage:

from electrical surges.

Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.

If safe, go to an alternate location for heat or cooling.

Check on neighbors.

Be safe AFTER power is restored: When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.

If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If a life depends on the refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and use medicine only until a new supply is available.

Source: www.ready.gov

inexpensive and surprisingly entertaining. Try balloon volleyball or tennis, waddle races, pass the balloon or the classic rub the balloon against your hair to create static energy.

Camp out. Kids will likely want to sleep with you, or at least with each other, while the lights are out. Be ready with extra blankets or sleeping bags to create a common sleeping area in your bedroom or living room.

Go for the full camping effect by pitching a small tent.

Make it flash. Put those flashlights to good use by making shadow puppets or playing flashlight tag or freeze dance.

Take a break. Your family will likely come to treasure this time off the grid together, but that doesn’t mean that mom doesn’t need her breaks. Try to stick to nap or rest schedules and carve out some time for you— sneak away with a miner’s lamp and a good book, or lie down while the kids build a fort around you (it’s dark, they won’t see that your eyes are closed).

A note for breastfeeding moms.

IS YOUR STORED BREAST MILK okay after a power outage?

According to the Center for Disease Control, your breast milk might still be safe, but it depends on how long the power is out and how defrosted or warm the breast milk becomes.

Freezers, if left unopened and full during a power outage, will keep food safe for about 48 hours (about 24 hours if half full). When freezers are full, the other frozen items help keep the freezer colder longer. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened. While the power is out, keep the freezer and refrigerator doors closed as much as possible.

Once the power is back on, check the condition of your stored breast milk. Frozen breast milk that has started to thaw, but still contains ice crystals can be refrozen. If your breast milk has completely thawed, but still feels cold, put it into the refrigerator and use it within the next day or discard it.

If you’re not with your baby during a power outage and you need to pump use a battery adapter, manual hand pump or hand express. Some pumps even have an adapter that can be used in your car. The expressed milk can be stored in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. Once breast milk is cooled it should remain cool until it is consumed, so when the power returns (if breast milk is still cool) transfer milk to a refrigerator or freezer.

Shadow-puppet skills

The Gator

The Dodo

RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE THE EASTERN EDGE eou.edu/mom

Have some fun with flashlights while you’re waiting for the power to come back on. Try these shadow puppets or get creative and make up new ones.

The Rabbit

The Goat

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